being a newer back yarder I wanted some input about boiling the ice or just chuck it out.Trying to boil as little as possible,thanks guys. Stan
being a newer back yarder I wanted some input about boiling the ice or just chuck it out.Trying to boil as little as possible,thanks guys. Stan
homemade barrel evaporator 2 x 4 divided flat pan 40 taps 10 x 8 sap house hood and pre heater
seclark
My first year with an arch... 2years on propane... I am no expert..... Now let me tell ya what I did yesterday! Bought a sap hydrometer on my way home from work..... collected sap ice and and sap from two different buckets... @ 38 degrees the sap was 6% .. I melted the ice slowly using mircowave till it too was @ 38 degrees... 2%. Obvious that the 6% was concentrated due to the ice but the chunk's of ice when melted were @ 2%.
And that my friend is my 2% worth..
Mac
Last edited by Mac; 02-28-2009 at 06:23 PM. Reason: typo
CDL/Maple Pro 20 x 66 Raised Flue all S/S
12 X 20 Finisher WF Mason
270 Gal W F Mason S/S Holding tank
12 x 16 Sugar House
225 Taps Gravity
Kubota B7510, LA302 Loader,,
Stihl 036/ Lafonte Spiltter
Alot of articles and folks I have talked to just toss the ice. The theory is that the sugar will not freeze. I have actually read stories about native americans using this technique to refine the syrup. I personally toss it, not worth time and energy to thaw and boil.
2008- 30 taps evaporator-Turkey fryer in the driveway.
2009- 50 taps evaporator- concrete block with stock pot.
2010- 100 taps, oil tank arch with a 2x4 Mason evaporator.
2011- 78 taps mostly gravity tubing, some buckets
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If it's floating in your collection tank/barrel, chuck it before you boil because it's mostly frozen water leaving more of the sugar behind. Sometimes I'll leave it in there to keep the sap cool if there is warm weather ahead.
If the ice is in the bucket/bag on the tree and the whole thing has frozen solid, leave it alone. It probably got cold enough to freeze it sugar and all.
Sean
Mac, thanks for the info,it's very interesting.any ice in the buckets from now on will be toss-a- vooded .
homemade barrel evaporator 2 x 4 divided flat pan 40 taps 10 x 8 sap house hood and pre heater
seclark,
If it's real windy or going to be I will dump the sap out and leave the ice, makes a good weight to hold the buckets on the tree.
Just my couple of pennies.
Dave
2x5 SS home design on a home design arch w/ forced draft
SS Evaporation Enhancement Unit
Home design filter / canner
Daryl Sheets filter press
300 taps (280 on line, 20 buckets)
120 gph Home Design RO
2017 Chevy Silverado w/ 275 gallon tank
8x16 sugarhouse w/ attached woodshed
A wife, family and friends that love to help!!
It all depends on how many taps you got and weather you need something to boil.
Me, with 145 taps, if it just the top 1" I will toss it out. If the bucket is froozen solid I will keep it and set it aside to keep the sap cold in my storage tank and then toss whats left when I got to the bottom of the tank.
I did the sugar test also and I found that when it is just the top 1" or so when melted it was just water.
Now if you only have a few taps and need sap to boil I would use the ice and boil otherwise you would just be waiting for more sap till you can boil.
I also agree that if it is going to be windy let the ice in the bucket to help keep the bucket from taking flight, it won't help to keep the lid on but it will help keep the bucket for leaving.
1st Generation Hobby Maple Producer, you got to start somewhere.
222 Taps, all on Vacuum! No more buckets.
Lapierre 2'x5' raised flue w/Hood and Preheater
Surge SP11, Lapierre Hobby Releaser
Modified 5" Filter Press made by Daryl with a Gear Pump
Homemade 2 membrane RO
Kabota RTV Sap Hauler
Hardy's Maple Syrup on Facebook
Maybe another way to look at this subject.
I'm a late season syrup fan.
When the sugar content is the lowest, the flavor is the highest. If I just wanted the the sugar I would put light Karo on my pancakes.
As a backyarder I boil it all to syrup. I also use the ice as a bucket holder and a sap cooler.
Have a great and FUN! season.
John
100+ Taps, 40 on 5/16 tubing
Lunchbox Vacuum/Releaser, hodorskib's Small Scale RO
3x7 Stainless Flat Pan
No chickens........yet.
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